What is developmental delay and how does it affect the child ?

Question

Please site your sources with the info that you provide

Answer 1

Please, see link and read all pertaining to children.  

I don't know whether, or not, you are referring to a medicially diagnosed condition or a "buzz word" (so to speak) which some school counselors, or teachers, use as "politically correct" terminology so they don't offend when, in reality, this may be an incorrect choice of words.

You will find the info' from Merck to be, very, informative.  The second link is for a Home Edition of the Merck which I believe should be required in every household;  you can get a used copy for less than $8, including postage.

Answer 2

a delay in 1 ormore developmental area

language (receptive and/or expressive)

gross motor

fine motor

cognitive

social/emotional

self help

In my state a delay of 33% in one area or 25% in 2 or more areas is considered eligible for services

Answer 3

I'm not completely sure, but I'm pretty sure "developmental delay" is when a child takes a little longer than normal to do something most other children do.

For example (I'm probably off on the exact numbers, just so you know): a normal child might learn to walk at age 1, but a child with other problems might take a little longer (or even not - if you're the type to carry a child around quite a bit, a child may simply take a little longer to learn how to walk).

I, myself, had a similar issue: most children around me learned how to read basic letters and words by around age 4 or 5, but I didn't learn until age 7.

As for effects: it depends on what's being delayed. If it's walking, then it won't be much - kids don't take long to learn how to walk once they get standing (and most parents just wish their kids would then remember how to sit down XD).

If it's something like talking, then it might simply result in the child being a little behind other kids his age (i.e. a lisp).

It all just depends, really, on the child, how far behind, and what it is they're falling behind in.

Answer 4

all that developmental delay as when a child isnt meeting their milestones in a particular area of development at a certain age. for example if there was a child aged 14 months that wasnt walking yet then some may say that they have developmental delay as most children are expected to be walking by the age of 12 or maybe 13 months.

Answer 5

The question you have asked is one with a VAST amount of information. Because developmental delays are sometimes specific to the child's presenting condition(i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, etc.) the types of delays a child can have vary greatly. The information below was copied directly from websites which I have also listed for further information.

As a parent of a child with global delays, I will gladly provide additional information if needed. Good luck.

Developmental delay- a term referring to a disorder in an individual who is not developing according to the expected time frame; often used in place of the term mental retardation in children younger than 5 years of age.

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What is developmental delay?

Developmental Delay is when your child does not reach their developmental milestones at the expected times. It is an ongoing, major delay in the process of development. If your child is slightly or only temporarily lagging behind, that is not called developmental delay. Delay can occur in one or many areas—for example, motor, language, social, or thinking skills.

Developmental Delay is usually a diagnosis made by a doctor based on strict guidelines. Usually, though, the parent is the first to notice that their child is not progressing at the same rate as other children the same age. If you think your child may be “slow,” or “seems behind,” talk with their doctor about it. In some cases, your general pediatrician might pick up a delay during a well child visit or other meetings. It will probably take several visits and possibly a referral to a developmental specialist to be sure that the delay is not just a temporary lag. Special testing can also help gauge your child's developmental level.

The first three years of a child's life are an amazing time of development...and what happens during those years stays with a child for a lifetime. That's why it's so important to watch for signs of delays in development, and to get help from professionals if you suspect problems. The sooner a developmentally delayed child gets early intervention, the better their progress will be.

What causes developmental delay?

Developmental delay can have many different causes, such as genetic causes (like Down syndrome), or complications of pregnancy and birth (like prematurity or infections). Often, however, the specific cause is unknown. Some causes can be easily reversed if caught early enough, such as hearing loss from chronic ear infections, or lead poisoning.

What should I do if I suspect my child has developmental delay?

If you think your child may be delayed, you should take them to their primary care provider, or to a developmental and behavioral pediatrician or pediatric neurologist. An alternative to seeing a specialist is to work through your local school system (see below). If your child seems to be losing ground—in other words, starts to not be able to do things they could do in the past—you should have them seen right away. If your child is developmentally delayed, the sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can begin appropriate treatment and the better the progress your child can make.

If you are concerned about your child's development, check out First Signs, a website with information and resources for early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays and disorders. Explore the many resources for parents available on the site.

What can the school system do for my child?

Ask your school system in writing for an evaluation of your child, even if your child is a baby, toddler or preschooler. They are required to provide it, at no cost to you. The purpose of an evaluation is to find out why your child is not meeting their developmental milestones or not doing well in school. A team of professionals will work with you to evaluate your child. If they do not find a problem, you can ask the school system to pay for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). There are strict rules about this, so you may not get it. You can also have your child tested again privately, and pay for it yourself. But check with your school district first to make sure they will accept the private test results. By law, the school system must consider the results of the second evaluation when deciding if your child can get special services.

New Visions for Parents, from Zero to Three, is a guide for parents who are concerned about their baby's, toddler's or preschooler's development and learning. It will help you prepare for an evaluation, and know what to expect. Use the red navigation bar at the top of the New Visions screen to guide you through the materials.

Basics for Parents: Your Child's Evaluation explains what parents of school-aged kids need to know about the evaluation process.

If testing shows your child has developmental delay, the school system will start your child in either an early intervention or a special education program, depending on your child's age.

What is early intervention?

Every state has an early intervention program that you will want to get your child into right away. If you live in Michigan, your doctor may refer you to the Early On Program in your local school district. (Outside Michigan, you can find your state's early intervention services through the NICHCY website.) Early On (and all states' early intervention programs) offer many different services and will help set up an individualized program for your family. It is called an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSB).

Find out all about finding help for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. ["Finding Help for Young Children with Disabilities (Birth-5)"]. You can get this information in plain text, PDF, or in Spanish.

It is most important to start treatment as early as possible, and make sure it involves lots of one-on-one interaction with your child.

What is special education?

Special education means “educational programming designed specifically for the individual.” It can really help your child do better in school. If your school-aged child qualifies for special education, they will have an Individualized Education Program ( IEP) designed just for them.

Here is a helpful overview of the special education process.

Find out all about the process on this comprehensive page from the US Department of Education. You can also download the information in Word or PDF format.

Find out how to help create a useful IEP for your child.

Help your child take part in making their own IEP with these two resources from NICHCY: A Student’s Guide to the IEP and Helping Students Develop Their IEP.

What happens as my child grows up and eventually becomes an adult?

Transition planning is planning to get your child ready to lead a rewarding life as an adult. As your child gets closer to adulthood, they will need an IEP transition plan. Transition planning begins at age 14. It is part of the IEP every year after that. At age 16, planning will begin for how your child will transition from school into the community. The goal is for your child to become as independent as possible. Your child should take part in the planning, because their input will help make the plan more successful. For a thorough discussion (37 pages when printed) of the transition plan, see Transition Services in the IEP, from NICHCY.

The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and provides information on secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities. Their website provides a wealth of further information.

What do I need to know about the laws that have to do with early intervention and special education? What are our rights?

Know your rights, as a parent, in the special education process.

Questions and Answers about IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This is also available in PDF, and Spanish.

Internet Legal Resources about Special Education and Disabilities –from the University of Virginia.

What are some recommended books?

Teaching the Young Child with Motor Delays: A Guide for Parents and Professionals , by Marci Swanson and Susan Harris. This book is a useful guide in choosing development tasks to work on with your delayed child. It contains a lot of detail on breaking down large developmental goals into small, attainable steps. There is a large section devoted to outlining "objectives", giving suggestions on how to attain them, and examples of rewards. Uses clear and detailed examples.

When Your Child Has a Disability: The Complete Sourcebook of Daily and Medical Care , Revised Edition, by Mark Batshaw. A useful book to read and keep as a reference. Covers a wide range of medical and educational issues, as well as daily and long-term care requirements of specific disabilities. Discusses parent concerns like behavior, medication, and potential complications. Also addresses issues such as prematurity, early intervention, legal rights, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, genetic syndromes, and changes in health.

What are some other resources for information and support?

Related topics on YourChild:

Developmental Milestones

Non-verbal Learning Disorders

Speech and Language Delays and Disorders

Learning Disabilities

Dyslexia and Reading Problems

Genetic Syndromes

Lead Poisoning

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Siblings of Kids with Special Needs

Getting Involved in Your Child's Education

Reading and Your Child (includes child and adult literacy resources)

Other resources:

Including Your Child —an excellent on-line booklet from the US Department of Education.

Mental retardation —inf